Western Hunting & Fishing News February 2023 Issue

Tiggy Collins Buck: #2 Archery Typical All-Time, 203 3/8”

By Mike Hanback Big Deer Blog www.bigdeerblog.com Photo Pope and Young Courtesy Mike Hanback Big Deer Blog

Iwas hunting up in Saskatchewan several years ago when a local fellow asked if I would like to go see one of the top whitetail racks in the history of hunting. “Hell yeah!” I hollered and off we went to the small town of Debden.

I remember standing in Tiggy’s kitchen and holding that amazing rack, shocked that is was just a skull mount!

Tiggy, a truck driver by trade and a nice, unassuming guy, gave me the quick version of the story. He had finished his run early one October day in 2003, so he decided to go bowhunting for a while, hoping to shoot a doe for the freezer. He wasn’t in the stand long when this giant came by and Tiggy whacked it.

“Were you super excited” I asked.

“Sort of eh,” Tiggy said.

There is more to the story.

He had several official scorers put a tape to the rack, and a controversy broke out.

Some scorers had the 12-point symmetrical rack scoring more than 205”, which would have made it No. 1 all-time (the 204 4/8” giant that Mel Johnson shot in 1965 is still the world-record typical).

Others scored it an inch or 2 lower.

In the end, when the dust settled, Tiggy’s Sturgeon River monster fell an inch shy of No. 1. The Collins Buck holds on to the #2 spot to this day.

A few weeks passed, word of the giant buck got out and Tiggy realized what he had–one of the biggest typical bucks ever shot with a bow.

Photo courtesy Mike Hanback Big Deer Blog www.bigdeerblog.com

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How To Find The Right Compound Bow For You

By Jake Horton Originally published at GOHUNT.com

Whether you are a first-time bowhunter or a seasoned vet, there are some key factors that you need to look at when you select a new compound hunting bow. Today’s bows are complex engineered tools efficiently designed to sling arrows downrange at speeds over 300 feet per second. Even though bows are intricate and have thousands of engineering hours behind them, they are also made to be simple enough to be operated by the average archer. Every person is different and every bow is different, but here are the basics you will need to know before entering a bow shop or searching online.

Dominance

You must determine your eye and hand dominance before selecting a left-handed or right-handed bow. You probably already know what hand you favor by thinking about what hand you write with, but that does not mean your vision aligns with your hands. It is possible to be cross-dominant, meaning that you’re right-handed, but left eye dominant or lefthanded, but right eye dominant. The easiest way to determine your eye dominance is to hold your hand out in front of you in an “ok” symbol and look through the opening created by your thumb and index finger to determine your eye dominance. As you are looking, close one eye at a time. If the object you are looking at shifts out of view when your left eye is open, you are right eye dominant. If the object shifts out of sight when you only have your right eye open, then you are left-eye dominant. Traditionally, you should learn to shoot a bow that aligns with your dominant eye, meaning that if you are right eye dominant, you should buy a right-handed bow and vice versa.

Photo credit Cody Boor

To do it at your home, a good starting point is to measure your wingspan with your arms outstretched with your body in a “T” position. After you have measured the number of inches from the tip of your index finger to the tip of your other index finger in inches, you can either divide by 2.5 or subtract 15 and then divide by 2. Both of these calculations should get you close to a draw length that works for you. Though a longer draw length is beneficial to arrow speeds, do not be tempted to get a bow with a longer draw length than you require. This will only lead to reduced accuracy in your shooting. It is better to err on the side of a shorter draw length since a d-loop and release can be adjusted so they fit you perfectly. All in all, most professional bow shops will measure your draw length, even if you do not buy a bow from them.

Draw weight

The next step is to determine the perfect draw weight for you. Draw weight is the weight that you must pull to get your bow to full draw. The higher the weight generally equals more speed and energy into your arrow, which will equate to a flatter trajectory and more force hitting the animal. Usually speaking, draw weights are adjustable in most bows — by 10 lbs or more, depending on the setup. The important thing to remember is that you will get stronger; however, you need to be able to practice over and over again without getting exhausted. Go to a bow shop and allow them to help you find a draw weight that will get you started and grow with you. Though you can hunt successfully with lower poundage bows, you might have issues shooting out beyond 10 to 20 yards and penetrating the animals. Most hunting bows should be set up above 45 lbs in order to transfer a good amount of energy into the arrow, allowing it to penetrate an animal’s hide and become a lethal and ethical harvest.

Bow length

Draw length

After you determine your eye dominance, you must then look at your draw length. The best way to determine your draw length is to visit your local archery shop to measure it; however, you can also do it yourself.

A bow’s axle to axle length is the measurement between the bow cams, which are the wheel-like parts at the top and bottom of a bow. Axle to axle length is important for two reasons. First, a longer axle to axle length typically means that your bow will be more “forgiving” or allow you to have better accuracy than a shorter bow, even at longer distances.

Photo credit Chris Neville

The second reason your bow’s axle to axle length is important is that it determines how big your bow is. A bow with a super long axle to axle length may be a pain to hunt from a blind with or carry through the mountains; however, a shorter bow may be better in the treestand, but also hurt your accuracy. Overall, the axle to axle lengths of today’s bows are usually relatively similar. Shooting a few bows and feeling the difference may just allow you to see which one you like better.

Shoot the bow

The last and maybe most important thing to know about a compound bow before you buy it is how it feels to you. There have been times when I pick up and drawback a bow and hate the cycle or the shallow valley in the back of the bow. There have also been times where I pick up and shoot a bow and love every part of the shot.

This is why no matter what brand bow you are looking at, I always suggest handling it and numerous other bows and deciding what you like or do not like about it.

A good bow shop will help you out with this, even if you do not purchase the bow through them.

Overall, bows made in the last decade are fantastic tools in the hands of a practiced archer. There is no better feeling than shooting a perfect bow for you whether you are practicing or taking a shot at an animal in the mountains. When selecting a new bow pay attention to your dominant eye, the draw length, draw weight, axle to axle length and the feel of the bow. You can buy a bow online, but there is no comparison to shooting different brands bows side by side and determining what one feels right for you. No matter what you shoot, there is nothing more therapeutic and rewarding than practicing and mastering your bow at the range or in the mountains, so find a perfect bow for you.

Photo credit Chris Neville

Break Out The Neoprene: Winter Stream Fishing Is A Perfect Opportunity To Stay Outdoors And

Catch Fish

By Connor Liess, Public Information Specialist Idaho Department of Fish & Game https://idfg.idaho.gov

Keep those off-season fishing mechanics sharp by getting out on your local stream or river this winter.

Ask just about anyone if standing in two feet of 33-degree water while snow somehow finds its way down the back of their base layer sounds like their idea of a good time, and you’ll probably get a resounding no. This time of year, it’s tempting for anglers to stash the rods and hang up the waders ‘til next spring. And that turnkey fireplace beside the 55-inch flat screen doesn’t make the decision any easier.

But for those willing to don their thickest neoprene waders, set up shop on an icy riverbank for a few hours and fuss with frozen guides, there are still several opportunities to sharpen one’s angling skills, take in Idaho’s beautiful winterscape and hook a few fish.

& FISHING

The benefits and strategy of winter stream fishing

There are several benefits to fishing rivers and streams during the coldest part of the year. For starters, you may have the whole stretch of river bank to yourself. For a handful of folks, fishing plays second fiddle to other winter hobbies like fly tying, skiing or making a pot of chili in the slow cooker. It shouldn’t be too difficult to find a nice stretch of river where you won’t have to worry about...crowds.

Seek out slow, deep water where trout and whitefish will most likely be holding, expending as little energy as possible. Look for slow pockets or pools where water is barely flowing.

Slow and hungry

Just because fish are moving slower in the winter doesn’t mean they’re not still looking for an easy meal. Insect hatches are sparse in winter, but that doesn’t mean they still aren’t around as a food source for slow-moving fish. Fish can be frustratingly picky this time of year, so presentation and food size is vital.

As a general rule of thumb, use smaller bait and flies than you would in spring and summer.

The same goes for tippet. River flows in winter slow down dramatically and tend to be lower and clearer. That means it’s even easier for fish to see right through a poorly-executed presentation. It might be wise to downsize your tippet from what you usually run in the spring and summer, such as a 4X to a 5X.

Photos courtesy Idaho Department of Fish & Game

Technique, technique, technique

Once you got your rig set up, it’s good to try different techniques that you might not have tried before in the warmer months.

Dead drifting is critical in winter because trout won’t chase a fly in cold water. To dead drift, simply let the slow-moving current carry the fly either on the surface (dry fly) or just beneath the surface in the upper column of water (bait, nymphs, midges). If you see dimples on the water, it may be fish feeding on drifting insects, which will likely be tiny midges or mayflies.

Occasionally stream fish will rise for dry flies, such as small midges or olive mayflies, during the winter. But it isn’t too common. Instead, save yourself a few extra grams of weight and keep that box of dry flies at home. A small midge emerger or a tiny olive mayfly emerger will be the only surface flies you need.

If fishing for trout or steelhead, try swinging a fly by keeping the fly in the upper part of the water column. Steelhead and trout will often feed upwards, so a well-placed fly swinging across the upper portion of the water just may catch their eye.

If the fish aren’t going for small flies like midges and stoneflies, it may not hurt to lob a streamer out there to test the waters, so to speak. Streamers can look like a big, easy meal when presented slowly, but don’t expect trout to vigorously chase them like they do in summer.

Hit the snooze

The only thing sweeter than netting a jumbo fish in the middle of winter is netting a jumbo fish in the middle of winter after 8 hours of uninterrupted sleep. Unplug the alarm clock. Disable your phone’s sleep reminder. Brew that extra pot of bold roast, and slam that extra waffle. Winter fishing means one thing to many anglers: sleeping in. This time of year, fish will be right there with you, figuratively speaking.

With most winter fisheries, fish won’t be getting after it until mid- to late-morning. Unlike peak summer conditions, fish will be most active during mid-afternoon on sunny days, and even longer into the afternoon on cloudy days.

It’s easy to see how excited one might be about submerging their southern hemisphere in icy water all for the hopes of catching a fish, but rest easy (and long) knowing that those fish will still be waiting for you when you hit your local river or stream later in the morning.

Pre-Application Planning For The 2023 Hunting Season

By Trail Kreitzer Originally published at GOHUNT.com

Our 2022 hunting season is behind us and we are looking ahead to the 2023 application season and planning our schedules for next fall. One aspect of planning my upcoming year is considering my objectives for next fall. In this article, I plan to explore some of my goals and give you some ideas as well. I also want to dive into some of the steps along the way that will help me achieve my goals.

Review Preference and Bonus Points

The first step in my process every year is to review the number of points I have, the states I applied in, and the species I applied for. I will go through, state by state, and update my points as well as review the individual hunts I applied for. Last year as part of your Insider subscription we launched Point Tracker which allows you to input your preference and bonus points into your user profile and as you review odds and research within Filter 2.0 the odds will populate at your point level. One thing to be aware of is that you must go into your account and update your point levels. I make a point of updating every state and species well in advance of the first draws opening up so that I am prepared to research and make the best decisions throughout the spring application series. One additional note worth mentioning is that you can build out a Point Tracker profile for every applicant you manage. For example, I apply for and build points in several states for both of my boys that are of hunting age and it makes it much easier to research and track hunts for them with their own Point Tracker within my Insider account.

There are also a lot of people who are brand new to hunting and may have no points at all. Don’t get discouraged, there are still plenty of opportunities to hunt this fall. Utilize Filtering 2.0 and Draw Odds within your Insider account and search for hunts that can be drawn without points or use the Select Season drop-down filter to find states/species where OTC tags are available. Likely the best opportunity OTC is still Colorado elk. They offer OTC tags for archery, 2nd and 3rd rifle season in many units in the state. Some states like New Mexico and Idaho allocated tags without a point system in a random draw. Odds can be long for the best hunts, but you always have a chance. Research, research, research and you will still find a hunt for 2023.

After I have updated my point totals I begin to ask myself the following questions:

WHAT HUNTS DO I HAVE A GOOD CHANCE TO DRAW AND WHAT ONES ARE JUST PIPE DREAMS?

I’ve been applying in several western states for a variety of species for many years and, even still in most cases, I do not have enough points to draw permits for species like moose, bighorn sheep, bison, mountain goat, and quality hunts for elk, mule deer and antelope. The majority of you reading this are in the same boat, so it’s important to be realistic in our expectations.

For bison, moose, bighorn sheep and mountain goats, my reality is that I don’t have the points to feasibly draw a tag so already I know that. I am really only concerned with draw odds and my application budget (more on that later). My applications for those species are actually quite easy. I apply for areas with better odds and in states that offer a random chance. If you have the opportunity to draw a tag for one of those species based on the points you have, I would encourage you to find a hunt that fits your objectives and draw it sooner than later. I would make that type of hunt a priority over others.

The bulk of all of our hunting each fall is going to be for deer, elk and antelope. Within that, there are both opportunity-type hunts and quality hunts elk. Quality-style hunts are going to be Utah, Nevada, New Mexico and Arizona—although if you are creative, there are some easier-to-draw hunts in Arizona and, even, New Mexico. My opportunity-type states are Colorado, Montana and, perhaps, Wyoming or Oregon. Idaho has been a good opportunity state in the past but their OTC tag sale started Dec. 1st and for the most part, tags sold out within the day. I can still apply for controlled hunts in Idaho but it may or may not be worth the cost of the hunting license to apply depending on how the rest of the year’s applications have developed.

My typical priority is to utilize my points in the smartest way possible. I love to hunt elk with my bow during the heart of the rut, but in some cases, I’ve built up enough points to draw a mule deer tag where it makes more sense to utilize those points and potentially put elk on the back burner and build a few more points for a better hunt in the future. This could be vice verses as well, but I try to use my points as efficiently as I can regardless of the species. Everyone is a bit different in what they value and are looking for in a hunt. For me, I tend to let the number of points I have for each species and the potential quality of the hunt guide my applications.

Here is a real work example for my going into 2023. I have enough points to draw a quality deer tag in both Arizona and Wyoming. I burned my Utah elk points last fall and although I have points in states like NV, AZ, CO, WY, and MT they are not sufficient to draw the quality of tag that I can for deer. Hence, for me in 2023 it may make more sense to utilize my deer points to draw good permits and build points for elk by either taking a swing-for-the-fences approach on my application or simply buying points for the states that allow that. I still want to hunt elk, but I try to pick one hunt to go all in on in regards to scouting and time off to hunt and for 2023 it’s going to be a deer hunt. I can still hunt elk in a state like Colorado on an OTC tag.

The long and short of my application plan is that I most often let my points guide my application strategy to find the highest quality hunt I can. Insider Draw Odds and Point Tracker are therefore one of the best tools I have for finding those hunts.

Photo credit Chiam Loyd

WHAT IS YOUR APPLICATION BUDGET?

Applying in the West is expensive and it seems to be getting more expensive every year. Most of us do not have an unlimited amount of money to apply. If you do, I would encourage you to apply for any species. If you don’t, there are some general strategies I use.

•In states where you have to buy a hunting license to apply, apply for every species that you are interested in. For example, if you wish to apply in Utah as a nonresident, you must purchase the $65 hunting license. Another $10 per species will allow you to apply for all of them.

•Weigh your odds of drawing against the cost of applying to see if it’s worth it. For example, if you have never applied for Colorado moose, sheep, and mountain goat you must apply for a preference point and build three points for each species before you even are considered in the draw. That’s three years and $300 per species before you even have a chance in the draw. If you review the odds beyond that 3-point level, they are extremely low for me as a non-resident that I would ever draw in my lifetime. That means I am potentially $900 just to have a chance and the odds are very low that I will ever draw. It may or may not be worth it to apply. That decision is one that each of us will have to make.

•Do I need more credit on the card? Several states require you to cover the costs of the licenses you apply for. For example, New Mexico requires you to buy a $65 hunting license to apply, but, after that, you can apply for all species as long as you front the cost of the permits. If you are unsuccessful, you get a refund. If you applied for elk, deer, antelope, bighorn sheep, ibex, oryx and barbary sheep, you could be floating $8,216 in permit fees. Your refund would include that entire amount minus $156 in application/license fees. Many states also charge the card you used if you are successful. If your card is declined, they move on to the next application. Make sure you have the plan to have the credit you need to apply and that your cards are valid. Others states are similar including Wyoming and Montana.

•Where is your biggest bang for your buck? Generally, Nevada permits are tough to draw if you only apply for the best hunts. Consider if it’s worth the $156 annual license to apply. The same goes for Idaho, which has no point system; is it worth the cost of the $185 hunting license to apply? Do some research and apply where it makes sense for your budget. For me, Colorado, Utah, Wyoming, New Mexico, and Arizona always make the list. They may not be yours, but you should consider the pros and cons of each system to see if it makes sense for you.

•Lastly, set a budget to apply and a permit budget. Find the opportunities that make sense and stick to them.

Within your Insider account, the state rules and regulations section and each application strategy article will outline the cost of applying. Before you apply throughout the west each year, you should set a budget and make a plan to apply and/ or buy points where you get the most value for your money.

HOW MUCH TIME DO YOU HAVE TO HUNT?

Before I plan my application strategy, the amount of time I can take off from work needs to be a major consideration. How many days do you have off to hunt? What hunts are most important to you? Do you have co-workers that you need to work with to make sure you are covered before you apply? All of these are worth considering before you plan to apply. I often apply for and try to hunt areas close to my house, which also give me the chance to get a mule deer or an over-the-counter (OTC) elk hunt on the weekends.

Over the years I have come to the conclusion that I am more effective and more satisfied with my experience if I can string several days together to hunt one tag versus trying to piece-meal days off to hunt several tags. For example, since I prefer to bow hunt, I would rather have one good tag and two weeks off to hunt it continuously than two tags where I had two separate weeks off to hunt. Again, everyone is different, but I’ve been more successful and typically kill a quality animal when I invest all my time into one tag. At my stage in hunting, I would rather kill an older age class buck or bull and hunt fewer tags.

HERE’S HOW I AM GOING TO DO THAT:

A buck or bull needs a few things to grow a large set of antlers: quality feed, genetics and, most importantly, age. Feed and genetics are out of my control, so hunting areas with bucks or bulls that can reach an older age class is where I put my focus. For a buck or bull to get that old in an OTC or easy-to-draw area, it needs refuge. Refuge in these areas is obtainable in a few ways: remote and rough roadless terrain, private property, or a limiting factor like grizzly bears or wolves that might limit hunting pressure. Using my INSIDER account and Filtering 2.0, I have been using the “odds filter,” then “select season” filter, and, finally, the “trophy potential” filter. Then, I’m reviewing the individual unit profiles looking for things like terrain, land ownership and access descriptions. Within those, I’m finding possible areas to focus my time and attention.

If trophy hunting is your thing, my advice would be to limit your hunts to just one or two a year and focus on getting permits in areas that can produce a trophy animal. Then, use all of your time to scout and hunt that area.

If your strategy is to fill the freezer, use the draw odds, select season, harvest success and, perhaps, the public land filters to find hunts that meet that objective. An antlerless hunt is a great way to fill the freezer and we provide draw odds for all antlerless and female species hunts.

There are several other types of objectives — all of which you can use your INSIDER research platform to help you achieve. If you want to get your kids out, we have application strategy articles specific to youth. We also cover odds for states that offer youth-only permits. Antlerless elk, antelope and deer are great hunts to get kids started into hunting. If you are looking for an adventure hunt, we just launched Alaska as part of our platform. There are many opportunities to get permits OTC for species like black bears, blacktailed deer, caribou and moose. For roughly $5,000-$8,000 for a hunt in Alaska, you can use the platform to find, plan, and go on an adventure hunt of a lifetime.

A great starting point is jumping into our Filtering 2.0 and Draw Odds pages. You can click through to those areas through https://join.gohunt.com/try/insider/.

Final thoughts

The following are pretty standard for goal setting whether it’s physical fitness or application and hunting, but they are still valid. Set goals that motivate you. Your goals should be specific, measurable, attainable and have a deadline. After you’ve set your goals, find the application or permit opportunities that can help you achieve your goals. Lastly, one of the best traits of successful hunters is that they are good goal-setters and planners. Set goals and put real time and effort into planning.

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How MTNTOUGH Will Make You A More Well Rounded Hunter

By Brady Miller Originally published at GOHUNT.com

I’ve always considered myself to be in great hunting shape. After all, I work out constantly throughout the year and I’ve kept myself in what I thought was great backpacking condition. But recently after starting the MTNTOUGH program, I realized that I’m barely scratching the surface of my mountain hunting potential!...

The workouts I’ve been doing on the MTNTOUGH app have opened my eyes in a huge way to an untapped area in my strength and conditioning. The way they approach the workouts and the level of detail they put into the research on what workouts will benefit a mountain hunter is a step above anything I have done in the past for getting myself ready for hunting season.

A

QUICK DIVE INTO THEIR FITNESS

APP

Where MTNTOUGH really shines is through their dedicated fitness app that you can access all the on-demand workouts from your phone, tablet, computer, and even through your TV.

Download for IOS here: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/id1587103337

Download for Android here: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=ott.mtntough&pli=1

Their app is a wealth of information that you can access anywhere with detailed videos that explain how to perform the workouts. Again, all of these programs are geared specifically for the backcountry hunter looking to build mental toughness and endurance.

What I really have enjoyed is the workouts will not only test your strength, endurance, and mobility but almost more importantly your mental game. After talking to Dustin Diefenderfer at their lab in Bozeman a month ago, these areas are what he describes as essential that will put you in the optimal position to handle whatever the mountains in the West will throw at you.

As I said earlier, my eyes were opened in a big way since I started these workouts. Everything I have worked on in the MTNTOUGH app works towards strengthening the muscles involved in hunting movements like weighted step-ups with a heavy backpack that replicates hiking that steep and deep mountain terrain, and power movements to build your back and legs to prepare for heavy packouts (which we all hope for on hunts) and even cardio to build on stamina.

THE MENTAL SIDE OF HUNTING

Although I’ve mentioned it before, the main aspect of these workouts comes down to mental toughness. We recorded a video with Dustin while in Bozeman and what he talked about hit home with me about the mental and physical side to why people quit in the backcountry. And if they quit in the mountains, that will lead to tags being unpunched. Your mind is everything! I’m a firm believer that with a strong mind, comes success in the mountains.

In summary

HUNTING SPECIFIC TRAINING

I feel 100% confident in saying that by starting MTNTOUGH early in the year, I am going to go into this upcoming season fully prepared for anything the mountain throws at me. And on top of being physically strong, another area this program shines at is the mental game. I know that if I’m mentally able to complete the workouts, what I experience on a grueling hike into the mountains or a difficult pack out with my backpack fully loaded down with gear and meat will be way easier than it was in the past because through these workouts I’ve gained extra knowledge on what it takes to mentally push me through a difficult day.

Lorenzo and I were able to spend a few days at their lab in Bozeman roughly a month ago, and I’m glad we had a chance to run through two days of workouts with them. I’ve already put together a weighted backpack set up in my garage and these easy-to-follow at home workouts are going to be key to my fitness going into this upcoming season.

Take your hunting fitness to the next level and head into the fall better prepared than ever before!

Getting physically and mentally strong for this upcoming hunting season! All photos credit Luke Dusenbury and Nate Hill.

Expert Ice Fishing: F&G Staff Shares Their Tips So You Can Catch More Fish

By Roger Phillips, Public Information Supervisor Idaho Department of Fish & Game https://idfg.idaho.gov

These tips will not only help you catch fish, but make your outing more comfortable

Ice fishing can be pretty darned simple. Drill a hole, drop a baited hook and wait for a fish to bite. It really can be that simple if you’re just starting. But like all fishing, there are more ice fishing skills you can learn to catch more fish, and those skills can come from trial-and-error experience, or learning from experts.

If you’re brand new to ice fishing and want to learn more, including ice fishing safety, see our ice fishing webpage.

It should come as no surprise that Idaho Fish and Game fisheries biologists like to fish, and they’re pretty good at it. Fortunately for novice and experienced anglers, they’re also willing to share their knowledge.

We asked biologists and other Fish and Game staff to share some of their best ice fishing tips to make your next trip more productive, and they delivered. So without further rambling, here they are:

Preparing to go and picking a fishing spot

Rig your rods and tip-ups while you are still at home. It’s always easier in the warmth of your house rather than on the ice.

A five-gallon bucket works well to keep rods/tip-ups organized, and a sled is a great way to transport your gear onto the ice.

Andy

Dux, Panhandle Regional Fisheries Manager

Download a boating navigation app with maps of the lake you are fishing. Maps often show bottom contours of the lake (like a topographic map) so you can identify major features like points, humps, ledges or flats where fish might congregate. The map can also give you an estimate of the water depth.

Martin Koenig, Sportfishing Program Coordinator

Checking depth with a lead depth finder, or some electronic depth finder and keep your bait within 12 inches of the bottom. When moving to a new location, refresh your bait, or changing jigs.

Patrick Kennedy, Upper Snake Regional Fisheries Biologist

Keep moving and drilling new holes unless the bite is steady. Fish often concentrate in one area, or move slowly in schools. You may catch a fish within the first few moments of fishing a new hole, and then you won’t catch anything else for a long time. You can return to the already-drilled holes later and try again to see if a new fish or school has moved into the area.

Kevin Meyer, Principal Fisheries Research Biologist

If you’re unfamiliar with where you’re fishing and don’t know where fish are likely to be, start shallow and work your way to deeper water. Drill new holes every 15-20 minutes or so if you don’t get bites and keep going.

Patrick Kennedy, Upper Snake Regional Fisheries Biologist

Fish tend to bite better at the beginning of low pressure weather systems, so watch winter weather patterns and time your fishing trip with one.

Eric Stark, Natural Resource Program Coordinator

Fishing tips

Whether fishing for trout, perch, or other species, try some jigs or hooks with bait, and some with only a jig head. And try different jig types to see if fish key in on a particular style or color. Sometimes the largest fish can be caught on the smallest of micro-jigs.

Kevin Meyer, Principal Fisheries Research Biologist

Fishing with worms is always a good bet, but you only need a small piece (1-2 inches) to catch most panfish and trout. Cutting a worm into usable chunks is much easier with a small pair of scissors.

Martin Koenig, Sportfishing Program Coordinator

Put out several tip-up rigs with a chunk of nightcrawler on a hook suspended a few feet under the ice in lakes with trout. It can be incredibly effective way to catch trout, and kids (and kids at heart) love to race for a flag when a fish hits it.

Matt Corsi, Fisheries Research Manager

When it comes to terminal tackle, smaller is better. Use small hooks and small baits. Keep in mind that fish are not as active under the ice as they are during open water conditions. They are cold, and everything slows down including appetite. Also, the food available to fish under the ice is often small in winter, so stick to smaller offerings, which can still catch the lunkers.

Brett High, Upper Snake Region Fisheries Manager

When you suspect there are fish around you, but don’t see them on the fish finder, try “ringing the dinner bell” by repeatedly dropping a jig into the muddy bottom of the lake to stir up as much mud as you can. It can wake up the fish and get them biting.

Jordan Messner, Southwest Regional Fisheries Manager McCall

Learn how to set up a couple of slip bobber set ups with micro jigs. Even kids can see the subtlest of bites.

Joe Kozfkay, State Fisheries Manager

When fishing is on fire, it can be hard to manage multiple rods, but there’s no reason not to do it. But when the bite is slow, you can maximize your coverage by maximizing the number of rods you have out. The limit is five per angler.

Kevin Meyer, Principal Fisheries Research Biologist

Use a double-surgeon’s knot to fish multiple hooks. This is a very easy knot to learn and is an easy way to add a second, or third hook without the need for extra tackle. Cut an 18-inch section off your line, and tie in the double surgeon’s knot. Then tie a jig to the “tag” of the surgeon’s knot that faces the end of the line. Add a second jig to the very end of the line below it. Fishing two smaller jigs on the same line can help reach the bottom quicker, and can help detect light bites by keeping the line a bit tighter. Plus, you can fish different colors, depths, or baits at the same time to figure out what’s working more quickly.

Martin

Koenig, Sportfishing Program Coordinator

If using multiple rods, actively fish one of them. Fish will often hit the jigged rod more than the stationary sets, but there are also times when a stationary presentation does better.

Kevin Meyer, Principal Fisheries Research Biologist

Vary your jigging style from less active to more active, or bigger lifts to smaller lifts, until you find a movement pattern that seems to work best. Sometimes fish like to hit your jig when you are lifting it, so try frequently lifting the jig several feet at a time, then go back to the start and try again.

Kevin Meyer, Principal Fisheries Research Biologist

Vary your depth of jigging; most people jig at or near the bottom, but there are times, especially with trout, when mid-column, or even surface fishing (just under the ice) works better.

Kevin Meyer, Principal Fisheries Research Biologist

If you are fishing multiple rods and can only jig one of them, periodically switch which rod you are jigging, or at least make the rounds to move them all a little bit with a couple jigs of the rod. If one rod isn’t working well with active jigging, switch to actively jigging another rod. Sometimes you will see a bite on a stationary rod that you just jigged a few times and set back down.

Kevin Meyer, Principal Fisheries Research Biologist

Vary the jigs between big and small, flashy, colorful, or drab. Tip these lures with different bait too, such as wax worms on one rod, night crawlers on another rod, then meal worms, power bait, etc.

Patrick Kennedy, Upper Snake Regional Fisheries Biologist

When attempting to land a big fish, stick your ice fishing rod into the ice hole to prevent the line from breaking off on the sharp ice at the bottom edge of the hole.

Eric Stark, Natural Resource Program Coordinato

Tips for staying warm and comfortable

Bring a small hand towel to keep your hands clean and dry, which is key to staying warm. Drying your hands after drilling holes, cutting bait and handling fish will make a

huge difference. Martin Koenig, Sportfishing Program Coordinator

Wear a ball cap or similar brimmed hat under a beanie. The bill from the ball cap will provide shade if it’s sunny, and

Martin Koenig/Idaho Fish and Game. Ice fishing Henrys Lake.

The ‘Big Fish’ Stories Of 2022

By Connor Liess, Public Information Specialist Idaho Department of Fish & Game https://idfg.idaho.gov Photos courtesy IFG

Here are the top state record-setting fish stories from this year.

From a catch-and-release record cutbow in Henrys Lake to a dramatic state-record catfish saga that could have been written by John Grisham, the past year’s record-setting fishing stories was one for the ages. Anglers from both within and outside of Idaho’s borders hoisted up some incredible benchmarks during 2022 and have pictures to show for it.

In total, 2022 had 19 new state records, which included 6 certified weight records, and 13 new catch-and-release records. Making the cut this year are the following angler trophy stories.

The case of mistaken identity was a revelatory moment for both angler and Fish and Game fisheries staff. Blue catfish can be difficult to distinguish from channel cats, and this 42.5-inch long behemoth swam right into the state record books as the first-ever Idaho record for blue catfish. You can read more about this melodrama here: https://idfg.idaho.gov/press/nothingbe-blue-about-its-still-state-record-catfish

Angler hooks fish taller than a regulation-size NBA basketball hoop

While C.J. Strike Reservoir is a go-to spot for yellow perch, crappie and smallmouth bass (and apparently the occasionally blue catfish), one angler discovered that the fish tugging on the end of his line on Aug. 5 was not a mere 10-inch crappie, but a 10-foot white sturgeon.

That day, Utah residents Greg and Angie Poulsen broke the previously set record back in 2019 when they reeled in the 124-inch long (or 10-foot-4-inch) sturgeon, thus clinching the new catch-and-release state record.

While the Snake River around C.J. Strike Reservoir has good numbers of sturgeon, fish over 10 feet are exceedingly rare, and usually only seen in Hells Canyon.

Fruitland angler gets ‘catfished’

It was the fish story heard all around the state and maybe even further. Fruitland angler Paul Newman originally hooked what he and Fish and Game biologists thought was a record-setting channel catfish on July 20 from C.J. Strike Reservoir. This Snake River impoundment is known for putting out massive channel catfish. In fact, angler Cody Kastner set a new certified-weight record channel catfish of 32.9 pounds from the same reservoir just a month earlier. Newman thought he would have the catch-and-release record locked up with yet another big channel cat.

That is, until one savvy biologist stuck their head under the ‘official review’ hood and noted that it wasn’t in fact a channel catfish, but a blue catfish.

Coho you didn’t

Further north along the banks of the North Fork Clearwater River, Lewiston angler Jerry Smith more recently added his name to the Idaho state record books when he caught a 30-inch coho salmon on Nov. 13.

While Idaho’s catch-and-release record program has been around since 2016, this is the first application for an ocean-run coho salmon, setting the stage for future records. In the fall, the Clearwater River is home to several ocean-run species migrating back to Idaho, including steelhead, fall-run Chinook salmon and coho salmon.

You can read more about Jerry Smith’s coho record here: https://idfg.idaho.gov/press/nf-clearwater-riversets-new-state-record-coho-salmon.

Record cutthroat-rainbow hybrid tips scales (and boat) in Henrys Lake

Over in the eastern part of the state, Hailey Thomas of Rigby landed a new catch-and-release state record from Henrys Lake. On Oct. 4, Thomas reeled in a whopping 36-inch cutbow (rainbow/cutthroat hybrid) trout, breaking the previous record for cutthroat/rainbow hybrids by 6 inches!

Hailey and her husband, Shane, set out on the lake with their two kids, hoping to enjoy an afternoon of warm fall weather and hopefully catch a few nice trout. Despite the beautiful weather, the water was a bit off-color, and fishing was slow. By mid-afternoon they were struggling to locate fish with only a few trout to hand. As they raised the anchor to move spots, Hailey hooked up on a heavy fish.

Henrys Lake in eastern Idaho is famous for its blue-ribbon trout fishing and is home to native Yellowstone cutthroat trout, as well as rainbow/cutthroat hybrid and brook trout.

Catfish angler breaks his own record on the Snake River Jared Holt is no stranger to the Idaho state fish record books. During a fishing trip on July 9, Holt felt a tug on the line and reeled in the biggest catch-and-release flathead catfish on state record, a 43-inch long giant. Feeling the fight of a 40-plus inch catfish on the end of his line was not the first time for Holt, either. The Homedale angler previously set the record back in 2020 when he hooked a 42-inch flathead catfish. Idaho has several species of catfish, the most common of which are channel catfish, brown bullhead and black bullhead. While these species are commonly found across Idaho, flathead catfish are found only in the Snake River, mostly in Brownlee Reservoir and upstream of it.

Bucks From A Tree

By Tom Cooper

Afew of you might recollect my first Hunting & Fishing News article, published in June 2018. Doesn’t ring any bells? Don’t feel bad, to refresh my memory, I looked up the title; it’s called “Tree Stand Basics, How hard can it be?” The point is I didn’t get around to any discussion of whether or not hunting, while standing on a tree limb, was in fact effective.

In this article, I want to address that shortfall. The really short answer is “yes”, I found standing on a branch in a tree, is effective. Some of you recognize of course, most of my stories are anything but short. So, let me tell you the story of bucks from a tree stand (standing on a branch, that is).

Get Into Your Tree Early

It was 1987, or maybe ‘88, and my hunting partner, Ray, and I had reached an agreement: I would teach him what little I knew about shooting a bow, and he would teach me how to hunt from a tree? Ok, so far?

During the off-season we focused on target practice and finding oak trees with solid horizontal limbs.

Ray’s tree stand experience was not based on finding a tree to attach your trusty tree stand. Rather, he had grown up hunting from tree limbs (with a rope for a safety strap).

By the time archery season opened, both of us had selected a couple of climbable White Oak trees in hunting areas at Quantico Marine Corps Base, Virginia.

When archery season opened, our first priority was to find our trees in the dark; second, climb onto our special limbs, also in the dark. Turns out, hunting from a tree limb is not very effective if you sweat like a plow horse while climbing your tree, and/or make more noise than a 100-car freight train on worn out tracks. But, we learned.

Follow the Blood Trail

Midway through archery season, Ray arrowed a nice 4 x 4 Whitetail buck. We found a good blood trail initially, but after a couple hundred yards, the crimson spots on orange and gold oak leaves became harder to find. By late afternoon, we had trailed his deer ¾ of a mile through patches of oak leaves sometimes 10-12 inches deep. Unfortunately, we ran out of blood.

Since we were hunting at the Marine Corps Base, we had to follow their rules. One very strict rule was hunters were supposed to return to the check in/out facility not later than an hour after sunset. If you didn’t, the Marines were going to come look for and rescue you. And, regardless of the reason, you might be banned from future hunting at Quantico.

We lost the blood trail just a little before sundown. I found some red plastic ribbon to mark the last blood, presuming we might be allowed to return the next day, Sunday (hunting was not allowed on Sunday in Virginia), to continue our search. Ray, certainly feeling bad, and not wanting to quit, started to make an arc out about 60 yards from me. As I tied a red ribbon, I heard a truly happy yell. Ray had walked right to his very dead buck. The shot had been good, but the angle was a little too steep, and his arrow likely missed the off-side lung. We took turns carrying and dragging his buck back to our vehicle. Needless to say, we made it to the check station with minutes to spare. For Ray, hunting from a tree limb had proven to be most effective; probably because the quality of my bow shooting instruction had been at such a high level. However, I give him all the credit for standing on a tree limb, shooting a bow, and making a difficult shot.

Gun Season was Next

Since my lead-in to this paragraph does not start with “Tom also arrowed a deer”, you can assume I didn’t.

However, the deer season at Quantico transitioned from archery to guns. In this case, the guns were shotguns with slugs.

We found a shooting range and practiced a few times. I hadn’t done much bird hunting with a shotgun as a youngster and never shot a slug; I really needed the practice.

At the range, we decided 100 yards was our limit. I was using my dad’s old open sight Winchester Model 12. However, we watched shooters regularly hit a bull’s eye at 200 yards with their scoped slug guns.

Ray and I planned to continue using our “archery” trees and their special horizontal branches for the gun season. So most of what we learned to do in the dark during archery season proved to be useful. The only real difference was that daylight came later, sundown was earlier, and the ground was often white with November snow. The crunchy leaves were packed to the ground and replaced with icey, crunchy snow.

Hunting partner Ray (l), his tree stand archery buck, and author Tom (r).

Listen for the Crunch

We selected the same Quantico district we hunted when Ray shot his deer. In fact, we were in the same two trees before legal shooting light.

Finally, daylight arrived and I could see. I also heard the sound of crunching snow.

I was hoping this was my deer, but when I spotted movement, it was a short-legged version of the mysterious East-coast Sasquach; yes, it was just a possum. I watched it wander away, seemingly unconcerned about my need for a deer.

Several minutes passed, then I heard crunching again. This time I couldn’t spot the possum or anything else. But, I could still hear an occasional crunch. After a few more minutes of searching around my tree (360 degrees), I simply could not spot a noisy varmit or a deer.

Take the Best Shot

Finally, for no obvious reason, I looked straight down.

Standing next to the base of my oak tree was a Whitetail buck deer, occasionally pawing the snow just enough to uncover his next acorn. He chewed quietly, only making a little crunching noise when he pawed for his acorns.

I definitely wanted to shoot this buck, but hadn’t practiced a straight down shot.

I tried holding off-hand but couldn’t hold on the deer and lean against the tree trunk or the horizontal branch I intended to use as a rest.

Figuring I had nothing to lose by trying to lean over my tree branch to see if I could hold steady with my shotgun pointed straight down, I tried it. I quickly decided it could work, but because of the height of my branch, I had to stand on my tip toes to lean far enough over the branch to shoot straight down.

Ok, once a hunter decides to shoot straight down, where does he hold on the deer?

First, I looked at the back of the buck’s head, but decided my slug shot might result in a bigger mess than I wanted to deal with. I moved to the middle of his neck (from a straight-down view), and decided any wiggle, left or right, and I would probably end up with a wounded deer. Next, I moved to the shoulder blades, which were surprisingly visible from 25 feet (straight down).

At this point my brain said “shoot the deer”.

So, I pulled the trigger. Of course the recoil was pretty unexpected (like straight up). I found my eyes looking into the brush about where the possum disappeared a few minutes earlier. When I gained enough composure to look straight down again, there was my buck. Turns out his feet were still in the last tracks he ever made as a live deer. Only now he was toppled over, definitely dead. A slug shot between the shoulder blades shatters the vertebrae and cuts the spinal cord. Undoubtedly death was instantaneous. After just a few minutes, I was lowering my empty shotgun to the ground when Ray appeared and said “I don’t think we need to trail this one”. He was right.

Tree Selection Determines Effectiveness

In the years since, I’ve owned a couple tree stands and a good safety harness, and they are certainly more useful and comfortable than standing on one branch, leaning on another, and tied to the tree with a rope around my waist. However, I won’t say they are more effective than Ray’s version of standing in a tree, while hunting.

It is being there, in a good spot, in the right tree, in the first place that provides the opportunity for effectiveness.

At age 74, I don’t much climb trees anymore, but I still use really low tree branches for gun rests, every chance I get.

Tom with his tree stand gun season buck.

PASSIONATE

Ready for your change of scenery.

Make every drive count in the Toyota RAV4. With its versatile design and powertrain choices, you’ll be prepared for whatever the day brings. From camping by the lake to running errands around town, RAV4 is ready to maximize sport with utility. So jump in to explore your next favorite destination with a drive that feels as good as it looks.

Prototypes shown with options. Extra-cost color shown. Off-roading is inherently dangerous. Abusive use may result in bodily harm or vehicle damage. Wear seatbelts at all times and do not allow passengers in cargo area. Do not overload your vehicle. See Owner’s Manual for weight limits and restrictions. Always properly secure cargo and cargo area.

Your Montana Toyota Dealers are in their support of the outdoors, and groups such as the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation with its mission to conserve wildlife habitat and open space.

HABITAT STEWAR DSHI P

For hunters, anglers and others who enjoy experiencing the outdoors first-hand, it means everything. Quality habitat means quality wildlife.

The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation does not seek to just conserve wild landscapes for the benefit of wildlife and hunters, it also looks to maintain and improve habitat. Such is the case on the nearly 57,000-acre Mount Haggin Wildlife Management Area, where RMEF carried out several land conservation and access projects over the years. From 2020-22, RMEF supplied critical funding for a project to remove conifers across more than 2,000 acres of shrublands, grasslands, aspen stands and riparian areas. Left unchecked, that encroachment could negatively affect elk, mule deer, moose, grouse and many other wildlife species that depend on healthy plant communities for calving, fawning and summer forage.

MOUN T HAGGI N

LOCATION

In the Northern Rocky Mountains about 10 miles south of the small western Montana town of Anaconda

Photo: Kevin League

Tips To Stay In Shape During The Off Season

By Zach Lazzari & Ryan McSparran Caribou Gear Outdoor Equipment Co. www.caribougear.com

It doesn’t take long to start losing ground on fitness during the off-season. Busy work schedules, holiday binge eating and general life events can cause months of hard earned conditioning to slip away.

You don’t need a crazy training schedule to stay in shape through the off-season however. A simple routine and some cross training will keep your activity level high and help maintain conditioning. This makes it much easier to ramp up training for those hard mountain hunts later in the summer.

Don’t put it off. Here are a few ideas to stay in shape and keep the momentum on your side:

Cross Training Exercises - Cross training is one of the best ways to maintain conditioning throughout the off-season. Find activities you enjoy that are physically demanding and stay engaged in those to keep yourself active.

Hit the mountain with skis or snowshoes, hike around or join an intramural sports league. You can engage with the outdoors through a variety of sports like rock climbing and mountain biking or you can stay indoors and play in a competitive basketball league.

Cross training is ideal because it breaks up the monotony of daily gym workouts. Find something you are passionate about and stay engaged and active throughout the off-season.

Plan a Spring Hunt - Why stop hunting at all? January and February are pretty much dead months everywhere. But you can plan a spring hunt that will keep you on the mountain.

Spring bear is the perfect opportunity to stay active while walking closed logging roads and scrambling through snow and mud in the high country. Bear hunts are physical and planning one will help keep you motivated to exercise throughout the winter months leading into the hunt.

Photos credit Ryan McSparran

Most folks might not think of spring turkey hunting as very physical. But here in the western states, there are some awesome opportunities for backcountry turkey hunts. Merriam’s turkeys thrive in roadless and wilderness areas throughout the Rocky Mountain region. Consider shouldering a backpack and going after some mountain birds!

Soon after the spring bear and turkey hunts wrap up, summer will arrive and you can go backpacking and easily stay active outdoors while prepping for fall hunts. Take advantage of every low season hunting opportunity to stay active and in the game.

Consistency in the

Diet - The off-season is a dangerous time for your diet. Holidays, super bowl parties and gatherings make it easy to fall off the wagon. Enjoy the events but work to maintain a consistent diet throughout the off-season.

Pack your body with healthy vegetables and take advantage of that excellent wild game in your freezer. The harvest from previous seasons offers major health benefits as organic, clean protein. Keeping your body fueled with vital nutrients will make it easier to ramp up to a more intensive training program as the fall hunting season approaches.

Bonus: Test Your Gear - In addition to keeping your body in shape, staying active through the off-season serves another great purpose. This is an ideal time to work on your hunting gear systems.

Need to purchase and break in new boots? Now is the time to do it. This is also a great time to test out your cold weather clothing systems. If any items are not performing as you hoped or if something needs to be replaced, winter or early spring hiking can highlight those needs.

While you’re out there, take time to test out your cook system. Plus, bring along your optics and spend time glassing. If there are any issues or holes in your hunting gear setup, it’s better to discover them now than later in the summer when hunting season is just around the corner.

If you have questions about gear or need recommendations for your next hunt, please don’t hesitate to contact us at www.caribougear.com! We’re passionate about hunting gear and we’d love to help you get ready for that next big adventure.

Three Men Convicted Of Numerous Charges In One Of The Largest Poaching Cases In Wyoming History

Wyoming Game & Fishing Department https://wgfd.wyo.gov

The charges were the result of a seven-year, multi-agency investigation

Three men were charged with more than 100 wildlife violations in one of the largest poaching cases in Wyoming history. The felony and misdemeanor charges were the result of a seven-year, multi-agency investigation spanning four states and involving thousands of hours of investigations and efforts by state and federal wildlife law enforcement officers, county and federal prosecutors, the Wyoming Game and Fish Department forensic laboratory personnel and others. The charges were prosecuted across four different Wyoming counties, concluding in Park County in September 2022.

“Investigating and successfully prosecuting a case of this size and scope required years of effort by many individuals and agencies,” said Rick King, Game and Fish chief game warden. “Dozens of people worked hard to make sure that even though some of these violations occurred a decade or more ago, they would not go unpunished.”

Russell Vick of Alabama, Robert Underwood of Oklahoma and David Underwood of South Dakota were convicted of numerous wildlife offenses and cumulatively fined $171,230 and $131,550 in restitution.

The case began in October 2015 when a Gillette game warden received a request from a hunter for an interstate game tag to accompany a deer head as it was shipped to Vick for taxidermy work at an Alabama address. However, a database search showed Vick having a Wyoming address and that he purchased Wyoming resident hunting licenses for several years. With this conflicting information, the warden began to unravel the case that would eventually identify dozens of wildlife violations in four different counties in Wyoming.

As the investigation of Vick widened to include cellular and social media sources, evidence mounted against his acquaintances Robert Underwood and his son, David, both former Gillette residents. Multiple Wyoming resident hunting licenses and preference points purchased in those names often shared a Gillette address on the applications.

In cooperation with Assistant United States Attorneys in multiple states, special agents from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and local Alabama wildlife officials, a federal search warrant was executed on Vick’s residence in May 2017. Simultaneously, a federal search warrant was executed on David Underwood’s residence in Edgemont, South Dakota, and Robert Underwood was interviewed at his home in Jones, Okla. Numerous elk, deer, pronghorn and a bighorn sheep ram mount were seized from the Vick and Underwood residences, along with digital evidence.

While at Vick’s residence and taxidermy shop Alabama officers observed numerous violations of Alabama law, and through a state search warrant seized several illegally taken or possessed alligators and migratory birds.

A second federal search warrant was conducted in November 2017 after officers learned Vick had removed more than a dozen wildlife mounts from his residence, including three bull moose and three bighorn sheep rams. The mounts were tied back to locations in Wyoming where Vick poached these animals. They were later found hidden in a trailer he had removed from his property and stashed over 60 miles away from his residence in Alabama.

Using the gathered evidence and information from multiple interviews, charges against the three individuals were brought forward in Campbell, Weston, Sheridan and Park counties in Wyoming.

Russell Vick

Weston County — Vick was charged with illegally killing two bighorn sheep rams and a bull elk without a license during closed seasons and trespassing on private property to hunt without permission in 2006. Vick was additionally charged as an accessory in the illegal taking of two wild turkeys and a bull elk.

On June 10, 2020, he appeared in court and pleaded guilty to illegally killing two bighorn sheep rams. Sixth Circuit Court Judge Matt Castano imposed $20,070 in fines, $10,000 in restitution and suspended Vick’s hunting, fishing and trapping privileges for 10 years.

Campbell County — Vick was charged with 43 wildlife violations that took place between 2003 and 2012. Charges included illegally killing, possessing and/or transporting two doe and two buck antelope, 11 buck mule deer, pheasants and a bull elk.

He was charged as an accessory to the illegal taking of a buck mule deer, two bull elk, a buck antelope and a bobcat. He was also charged with multiple counts of making false statements to receive resident game bird, small game, deer and elk licenses.

Photo courtesy Wyoming Game & Fish Department https://wgfd.wyo.gov

How To Break-In A New Rifle Barrel

By Brady Miller Originally published at GOHUNT.com

Let’s face it, getting a new rifle doesn’t happen very often. So when you finally decide on the rifle and caliber of your choice, a few simple steps should be taken to ensure you and your rifle will have many great years together. Some people might say you don’t need to break in a new rifle barrel and others will say it’s a must do procedure. My opinion, it can’t hurt to break in a new barrel. I’m also reminded of a quote from Col. Townsend Whelen, “Only accurate rifles are interesting.” That furthers my drive to ensure I do what I can to have a repeatable rifle.

I’ve read a lot of things on this subject (mostly during the random years when I decide to pick up a new gun) and it seems that most people will agree that a rifle break-in period is a good thing. Each time you do this, understand that this isn’t a hurry up and shoot several rounds and call it good. If I’m breaking in a new rifle barrel, I like to get to my shooting area very early in the morning and prepare for at least 25-30 shots and possibly five hours of your time.

What items do you need?

• Comfortable shooting area

• Cleaning equipment (see list here: https://www.gohunt.com/read/skills/how-to-clean-the-bore-of-yourhunting-rifle)

What’s the purpose?

Basically, the process of breaking in a new barrel is essentially just conditioning the barrel to smooth everything out (remove small burrs). Some barrel materials may take more rounds, others might not need much at all. Keep in mind that you don’t want to burn your barrel up in this process. Rifle barrels don’t last forever, so like I mention at the end of this article, if your rifle shoots great using half the steps, then call it good.

Steps to break-in a new rifle barrel

STEP 1

After getting set up at your shooting location, take one shot and then go through your preferred method for cleaning a rifle barrel.

You don’t need a thorough deep clean here, but you can follow a simple process for cleaning your rifle barrel here. At this stage, don’t really worry about where you’re hitting. I like to place a target at close range for this process, just for something to aim at. But, to save some time while this barrel break-in process is going on, I’ll also make some small adjustments to my scope so I’m hitting paper.

STEP 2

Repeat step one for the first 10 shots through your barrel. This process will take you a while because you’re cleaning your rifle between each shot. Also, cleaning your rifle between each shot allows for your barrel to cool down. Depending on the size of your barrel, the cooling time can vary. I like to wait at least 5 to 10 minutes, but sometimes I will wait a full 20 minutes for a true cold bore shot (a true cold bore shot isn’t really needed in this stage).

All photos credit Brady Miller

North-Central Montana Big Game Check Station Ends 2022 Season With Well Below Average Hunter Numbers And Harvest

MFWP https://fwp.mt.gov

Although a slight improvement over last year, 2022 resulted in one of the slowest hunting seasons in recent memory at FWP’s wildlife check station in Augusta. According to check station records, this year’s hunter numbers were the lowest seen in 30 years, and the number of big game animals passing through the check station was the second lowest total in almost 40 years.

There were 2,222 successful and unsuccessful hunters checked during the five-week season, representing a 37% reduction from the 10-year average. Game wardens and U.S. Forest Service staff patrolling the area also noted the low hunter numbers. Unlike last year when very mild weather was a major factor for low harvest success, this year provided ideal hunting conditions at times with snow and cold arriving early in the season.

A total of 612 big game animals were brought through the check station in 2022, compared to the 10-year average of 819 and 20-year average of 881 animals. Despite the low numbers, overall harvest success rates were good with more than 27% of hunters successfully harvesting big game vs. the recent average of 23%.

White-tailed deer harvest was consistently below average all season although harvest improved considerably the last week of the season as bucks were rutting, and antlered bucks comprised 58% of the total white-tail harvest. Overall harvest was approximately 10% below the 10- and 20-year averages, but a 33% improvement over last year. Liberal white-tailed seasons were in place for this area and harvest was well distributed within the primary hunting districts monitored at the check station.

Mule deer harvest was also below average at 34% and 49% below the 10-year and 20-year averages.

Mule deer harvest was the lowest recorded for this check station for at least the last 25 years.

As is normally the case, a high percentage of the mule deer harvest consists of antlered bucks, with bucks comprising 81% of the total harvest this year.

Geographically, the harvest distribution was also fairly consistent across the area, although hunting district 425 had the highest number of mule deer harvested among districts in this area. Of note, this was the first year in many years in which antlerless mule deer harvest was permissible on the Sun River WMA (via a general deer license) and a total of 12 antlerless mule deer were recorded as harvested there.

Total elk harvest this season was approximately 40% below the 10- and 20-year averages, but 62% above last year’s record low numbers.

Harvest was approximately a 50/50 split between antlered and antlerless elk, and hunter success this year was best during the middle weeks of the season.

The HD 442 quota finished with 69 elk harvested (42 bulls and 27 antlerless), compared to totals of 50 in 2021 and 62 elk in 2020. The HD 424 quota finished with 12 elk harvested (10 bulls, 2 antlerless). Both quotas were closed beginning November 15 thereby restricting harvest the remainder of the season to brow-tined bulls only. Total ‘Sun River elk’ harvest (HDs 424, 425 & 442) passing through the check station amounted to 110 elk (59 bulls, 53 antlerless). A total of 45 elk were checked from HD 422 (21 antlered, 24 antlerless).

24 antlerless elk were checked from HD 425 (Sun River WMA and adjacent lands). All five of the either-sex elk license holders in HD 425 were successful. Unlike last year, the improved success of antlerless elk harvest in this district was due to the early arrival of cold and snowy weather pushing a significant number of Sun River elk to migrate from the backcountry towards their winter range on the Sun River WMA. It was estimated that there were well over 1,000 elk on the Sun River WMA and adjacent private lands by the end of the season.

Seven of the eight either-sex bighorn sheep hunters were successful in sheep districts 421-424, and the average age of the rams taken on these licenses was six years old. This is similar to last year’s average age but slightly below the target average minimum age of 7.5 years set by FWP biologists. Of note, the MT bighorn sheep auction license holder successfully filled his license this year in HD 424, harvesting an 11.5-year-old ram.

One black bear was checked at the check station, but a total of 46 have been reported as harvested from the greater Rocky Mtn. Front area by the end of the season. One wolf was brought to the check station and a total of five have been checked in wolf management unit 400 this season. There were also six antelope, one mountain lion, and various game birds checked.

Wildlife biologist Brent Lonner has managed the check station in Augusta for the past 17 years, and recognized the work of check station technicians Kerry Bouchard, Laurie Stone, Devon Rauscher and Jami Bouchard. “Their assistance in helping collect biological data, attention to detail and willingness to be a key source of local information for hunters is invaluable. Thanks also to our FWP crew who helped patrol the local area WMA’s and to our area game wardens for their efforts patrolling and responding to calls in the Augusta area and beyond,” he said.

Lonner also noted that there are a number of factors related to hunter harvest each year such as regulation changes, weather, big game distribution, access and hunter effort.

Cody Grubb’s 2022 Wyoming Buck

By Cody Grubb Courtesy Mule Deer Foundation www.muledeer.org

MDF Life Member Cody Grubbs shares a quick story about his 2022 Wyoming high country buck.

“It was a new spot to me that has had some big bucks come out it in the past. I went in not knowing what to expect but planned for three days. It was about a two-hour hike to get to the glassing spot. As soon as I found a flat spot to set up my spotter I found the buck almost immediately.

“I shot the deer above some cliffs in a grassy feeding area. The buck fell and landed on a ledge right on the edge of the cliff. So, I set up my tent and settled in with a big fire, not wanting to be on the cliff as it got dark. In the dark, I planned to get to the buck through the ribbon cliffs and get him quartered. After quartering the buck, I loaded him up in my pack, and started to pick my way across the other end of the cliff. When I made it down safely, I loaded up my camp and the whole deer and hiked the couple miles back to my rig.”

Thanks for sharing your hunting story Cody! MDF members and volunteers are the lifeblood of our organization, coordinating with our regional staff to get the work done that helps us help mule deer and black-tailed deer. We love to hear your stories, and would love to share them! Please feel free to send us an email with your Member Success photos and stories to Art@muledeer.org for a chance to be featured here, on social media, or in the magazine!

MULE DEER FOUNDATION

The Mule Deer Foundation is the only conservation group in North America dedicated to restoring, improving and protecting mule deer and black-tailed deer and their habitat, with a focus on science and program efficiency. MDF is a strong voice for hunters in access, wildlife management and conservation policy issues. MDF acknowledges regulated hunting as a viable management component and is committed to recruitment and retention of youth into the shooting sports and conservation. Get involved in your state or become a member at www.muledeer.org or call 1-888-375-3337.

Photos From The Outdoors

Photo courtesy Cody Grubb and the MDF www.muledeer.org

Josh Merrick had an excellent year in 2022.

Public land, DIY hunts.

A modern folding knife from a reputable American cutlery manufacturer is almost as rugged as a fixed-blade. Over the years blade makers have greatly improved and strengthened the “rocking bar” mechanism that firmly locks the blade in place when the knife is open and in use.

A folding knife is compact and lightweight, easy to carry in a belt sheath or daypack. No wonder it’s so popular with hunters.

Buying Tips

Websites are chock full of knives these days, many of them cheap and flimsy. Stay away from junk knives, especially folders. Besides not holding an edge, a cheap knife might make a mess of your deer, or worse, break and cut you.

Best Knives For Deer Hunting

By Mike Hanback Big Deer Blog www.bigdeerblog.com

If you haven’t tried a fixed-blade knife with a gut-hook, you should this season.

Roll a buck or doe onto its back and use the knife point to make a small incision in the white hair and abdominal wall of the lower belly. Turn the knife over, insert the sharp hook into the slit and zipper the animal open up to the sternum.

With a hook, there’s no exposed knife tip to pierce a deer’s paunch and make a mess, or clip your finger. Be careful and wear rubber gloves.

Photos courtesy Mike Hanback Big Deer Blog www.bigdeerblog.com

Once you’ve finished the incision and rolled the big bubble of innards out of a deer, you can put leverage on a sturdy fixed knife, which is typically 8 inches long overall, and cut and work your way up into the breastbone of a deer with the long, primary blade.

That makes it easier to reach inside the chest cavity and sever and extract the windpipe and other tough-to-reach stuff.

Folding Knife

One day last fall, I pulled out my Buck Folding Hunter, an iconic hunting knife that has been sheathed on my belt for more than 20 years, and went to work on a freshly killed 8-pointer. I flipped out the 3¾-inch clip-point blade, carefully cut a 2-inch slit in the deer’s hide at the lower belly, fitted 2 fingers in the incision to use as a blade guide and zippered the deer open up to the sternum.

Back at camp I did a quick skin and cape job and used the razor-sharp blade to carve out a backstrap, which my buddies and I grilled and devoured around the fire pit that night.

Most people shop online, but I recommend you go to Bass Pro and hand-test several knives before you buy. Some won’t seem to fit and feel right, while other models will balance comfortably in your palm and fingers. Open and close all blades on folders and make sure there’s zero blade wiggle.

A stag or wooden handle is pretty, but to me a synthetic or rubber grip is better for fieldwork. It keeps a knife from sliding around in your hand when it’s wet and bloody.

If you prefer a fixed or folder without a gut-hook, choose between 2 blade styles. A drop-point has a thick, curved blade, which is strong and durable for gutting up into a deer’s sternum. It is excellent for skinning because you can use the full belly edge.

On a clip-point, the blade runs straight out from the handle and then curves up to a thinner point. A clip-point is okay for all-around deer work, and great for skinning and caping.

You’ll choose from among all sorts of blade materials, from 440 stainless to S30V to 420 HC and on and on. As long as you buy quality, don’t worry about the type of steel, all of which will prove durable and fairly easy to sharpen and keep honed.

I recommend you pay at least $60 to $80 for a hunting knife from a major cutlery brand, and $100 or more is not too much if you find a brand-name or custom blade you like.

Three Men Convicted Of Numerous Charges In One Of The Largest Poaching Cases In Wyoming History

(continued from page 23)

On June 22, 2021, Vick appeared before 6th Circuit Court Judge Wendy Bartlett and pleaded no contest to eight counts of illegally taking wildlife. The remaining 36 charges were dismissed.

He received an 80-day jail sentence, of which he served 60 days, and was ordered to pay $40,320 in fines and $32,000 restitution. His hunting and fishing privileges were also revoked for life. He forfeited four bull elk mounts, one buck antelope mount, three buck mule deer mounts and a Winchester rifle used in the illegal killings. He additionally abandoned three bighorn sheep rams, three moose, seven elk, eight antelope, one mule deer, a walrus mask and one gull mount to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service after the November 2017 search warrant.

Sheridan County — Vick was charged with killing three mature bull moose and one yearling bull moose without a license in the Bighorn National Forest between 2007 and 2011.

On Aug. 31, 2021, he appeared in Sheridan County court and pleaded guilty to two charges. He made an Alford plea on the other two charges. Defendants in criminal cases can make an Alford plea in which he or she maintains innocence but recognizes that prosecutorial evidence is likely to result in a conviction. Fourth Judicial Circuit Court Judge Shelley Cundiff sentenced him to one year in the Sheridan County

Park County — Vick was charged with illegally killing a bighorn sheep ram without a license, as an accessory to the over limit of bighorn sheep ram(s) and accessory to failing to tag a bighorn sheep ram.

He pleaded guilty to illegally killing a bighorn sheep and no contest to the accessory charges on Dec. 22, 2021, with sentencing on May 27, 2022. Fifth Judicial District Court Judge William Simpson in Park County sentenced Vick to 20 to 24 months in state prison for poaching a bighorn sheep ram near Cody in 2012. Vick made his court appearance via video from the Sheridan County Detention Center where he was serving a one-year sentence for poaching four bull moose.

In addition to his prison sentence, Vick was ordered to pay $12,575 in fines and $15,000 in restitution. This prison sentence began at the Rawlins State Penitentiary in August 2022 after he completed his one-year sentence in the Sheridan County Detention Center.

Robert Underwood and David Underwood were also charged. See full charges at https://wgfd.wyo.gov/News/ Three-men-convicted-of-numerous-charges-in-one-of...

As required by state statute, the $171,230 in fines imposed by the judges in these wildlife poaching cases will be distributed to the public school fund in the counties where the violations occurred. As required by state statute, the $131,550 in restitution imposed by the judges in these cases will be deposited into a Wyoming Game and Fish Department account that is used for the purchase of access easements to public and private land...

Wyoming and 48 other states participate in the Interstate

Photo credit Ryan McSparran

5 Tips On Choosing Boots For Your Next Mountain Hunt

By Ryan McSparran Kawdy Outfitters www.kawdyoutfitters.com

Your boots are one of the most important pieces of gear you’ll bring with you on any mountain hunt. The rugged terrain that we hunt here in northern British Columbia demands solid footwear. Boots, rain gear, and of course your weapon are the critical items that could ruin or end a trip if they fail. We receive questions from our hunters each year about the boots we recommend. We will try and answer some of those questions here.

1. Try On Several Hunting Boot Brands

When thinking about boots for your next mountain hunt, the first and most important thing to know is that different boots fit everyone differently. It’s impossible to say that one particular boot is the best, when it’s simply not true for all feet. Your feet will like some hunting boots better than others.

Our first recommendation is to start by trying on high quality boots. Our go-to hunting boots are from Schnee’s, and we’d recommend trying on several models to find one that fits your feet best. Make sure they feel snug but not tight and that you don’t feel a lot of heel slip as you walk. Pay special attention to pressure points like the balls of your feet and other places that most commonly form blisters. If they’re not comfortable in the store, they won’t be comfortable on the mountain.

2. Consider Only Waterproof Boots

Once you’ve settled on a type of boot that seems to be the most comfortable, let’s talk about the features that you should look for in a specific model. The first thing is a waterproof, breathable membrane. Don’t consider a boot without it. Our hunters need to be prepared for every kind of weather condition – rain, snow and sun. A waterproof, breathable hunting boot is mandatory.

Waterproof, breathable membranes will keep your feet dry from the outside as well as from the inside. Keeping rain out is critical. But breathability is equally as important. Sweaty, damp feet can quickly lead to blisters.

3. Minimum Boot Height

Next, we recommend a boot that’s 7 – 10 in. tall or 18 – 15 cm. If you’ve never worn a tall, 10-inch hunting boot, it may feel a little strange the first time you lace it up and walk around. But you’ll quickly get used to the feeling. Having a hunting boot that comes well up over your ankles is helpful in a couple of ways. First, it provides stability and ankle support. Second, it provides more weather protection in case things turn soggy on your hunt.

4. Look for Durability

Finally, we recommend looking for a boot that’s built to be extremely durable. Features to look for include, full grain leather uppers, a full rubber rand around the toe and circumference of the boot, and heavy Vibram (or similar) outsoles. You’ll find these features on quality brands like Schnee’s, but it’s worth mentioning in case you’re looking at a boot of questionable quality.

5. Purchase Them Early

No matter what boot you choose, make your decision early in the year and spend plenty of time hiking and walking in them before your trip. A quality boot shouldn’t require a “break in” period. The point of getting into them early is to identify any problems well before your hunt. If they’re giving you blisters, return them and try something different. These issues are easy to correct before your trip. Once you’re in the Canadian bush, you’re out of luck!

Accessories and Other Considerations

The best boots in the world won’t function properly if you’re wearing crappy socks underneath. Along with the boots, invest in several pairs of high-quality merino wool-blend socks. Avoid cotton at all costs. In fact, you might consider purchasing the socks first. That way, you can wear them when you try on different pairs of boots.

In addition to socks, a quality set of aftermarket insoles can drastically improve the performance of any boot. Custom insoles like those from Sheep Feet are ideal for mountain hunting in rough terrain. There are also good insole options from companies like Superfeet. Whether you have a high arch or flat feet, choosing the right insole can help further customize a boot to your specific feet for the best possible performance and comfort.

Finally, don’t forget to bring a pair of high quality, waterproof and breathable gaiters on your hunt. Gaiters will go a long way toward keeping your feet dry and comfortable.

Contact Us With Questions

We hope these tips are helpful as you look for boots for your next hunting adventure! Whether you’re hunting for moose, caribou, mountain goat or sheep, our recommendations remain the same. If you have questions about gear or planning for your British Columbia hunt, please call or send us a message. Call 1-250-306-8624 or 1-250-540-1179 (Oct 15 – July1) and 1-250-651-1189 (July 1 – Oct 15) or email us at hunting@kawdyoutfitters.com

We hope to see you on a hunt with Kawdy Outfitters soon.

Magnificent Mule Deer And Why Mere Mortals Chase Them

By Scott Ergas Originally published at GOHUNT.com

Perhaps no other game animal on the planet evokes the thought of western hunting as the illustrious mule deer (Odocoileus Hemionus). Synonymous with the landscape, its mystique and lore are as widespread and vast as the habitat it occupies — from high alpine crags to badland country to the juniper/ pinyon transition zones to the sage sea to the desert floor — these hardy animals serve as a distinguished muse to many hunters afield, including myself. It’s quite difficult — if not impossible — to put into words and fully capture how these iconic critters can etch themselves into the heart of a person and seemingly infiltrate the subconscious, but here goes nothing.

The places they take us

There is an old adage, “Deer are where you find them.” This couldn’t be truer than with mule deer and to literally and figuratively “take it a step further” by focusing on mature bucks: thinking opposite to the obvious could aid in your quest. They are, in fact, where you find them — and to my recollection and affinity for all things ironic — often this is in a deep, cruddy hellhole nestled in the shadows of a canyon or a cliffed-out shelf at the back of a drainage or in a high thicket tucked in 50 yards below as you unknowingly glass across a ridge at a “prime” spot — more so than aimlessly roaming a picturesque meadow for yummy forbs to browse on.

I’m not sure if blisters and sore muscles earn bucks, but there have been many occasions where I’ve found myself metaphorically headscratching and slightly dumbfounded at how I ended up in a particular location during a hunt. The thrill of the chase and curiosity of the unknown is perhaps in our DNA, propelling us to branch out and conquer, burning boot leather in the process.

The impromptu adventures and diverse terrain encountered as a direct result of the spontaneity of the species and the cliché “What’s over that next ridge?” mentality beckons indefinitely. Making temporary home amongst the inhospitable and unforgiving elements — yet thriving — is an ancestral chess match that requires grit, stamina and adaptation. These eyes have been blessed with unforgettable backdrops and settings while in pursuit of an animal I am yoked with and enamored by. I’m grateful the juice is worth the squeeze.

The challenge

If mule deer having “home court advantage” wasn’t enough, add to the equation a set of ears the size of NASA satellites that can hone in on the slightest of noises. A good friend of mine named Matt (who is a very seasoned hunter) stepped on a small twig in sparse timber while stalking in on four mule deer (two bucks, two does) during last year’s general rifle season. I have hunted with him countless times and he’s as quiet and methodical as they come. This particular instance, I was glassing him up with my binoculars from a couple hundred yards away when his progress halted and he proceeded to stand like a flamingo on one leg, painfully balancing on the uneven ground for close to five minutes while a sentry doe burned a hole through his soul with a piercing stare. I found this amusing because after years of tearing up his back and body through pipe welding endeavors, he isn’t extremely flexible, yet his desire and commitment to harvest a buck in that group had him looking like a full-fledged Nutcracker ballet performer—full send and graceful. He ended up sealing the deal on a decent buck at 80 yards with a well-placed shot and his son was there, which enriched the entire experience.

Mule deer are suitably equipped for steep/brushy terrain and make little work out of side hill scenarios. They possess four legs with hooves and a keen sense of smell. If you bust them out of their beds they can bound away, infamously hopping like several synchronized pogo sticks until your window of nown to give one look back before cresting a ridge or hill, which may give you a second crack at harvesting them. This is a chink in their armor.

All photos credit Scott Ergas

How To Break-In A New Rifle Barrel

(continued from page 24)

STEP 3

Next, shoot a three round group and then clean your barrel. Again, don’t really worry where your bullets are hitting.

You will do this step for a total of fifteen rounds, so you will repeat the three shot and clean for a total of five sessions.

STEP 4

Finally, you’ll want to shoot five rounds and then clean your barrel. After you’ve cleaned the barrel, you’ll want to take a foul shot.

STEP 5

Now you can shoot three rounds to test for accuracy if you want, or call it a day. From here on out, your rifle is now ready to handle anything you throw at it.

NOW TO THROW YOU A CURVE...

Let’s say you take out a new rifle and shoot your first few rounds through the barrel and your shots are all sub or MOA accurate.

You take several more shots and they are still grouping perfectly.

In this situation, you can probably just stop right there.

Every barrel has different life expectancies, so after figuring out that your new rifle shoots great, it might be best to spend the rest of your time at a later date testing loads and sighting in your rifle.

In conclusion

Here’s a summary of the steps:

Take one shot. Clean the barrel. Repeat for 10 shots.

Shoot a 3 shot group. Clean the barrel. Repeat for 15 shots.

Shoot five rounds. Clean the barrel. Take a foul shot. Shoot three rounds for accuracy.

People might be on the fence if a barrel break-in process is necessary, but I lean toward the side of caution and will gladly spend the time to slowly shoot a new rifle that I want to get plenty years out of.

The ‘Big Fish’ Stories Of 2022

(continued from page 17)

Small mouth, big record

Another Lewiston angler wound up entering the record books this year when he caught a 23.5-inch smallmouth bass in nearby Dworshak Reservoir. After a quick photo, Travis released the bass back into the lake that May 10th, and secured a new catch-and-release state record. His trophy bronzeback eclipsed the previous record of 22.75 inches set by Dustin Shepard only two years earlier in 2020.

Dworshak Reservoir — formed by the North Fork Clearwater River in north central Idaho — has a long and well-deserved reputation for trophy smallmouth bass. The reservoir has produced the last 2 catch-and-release records, but also holds all the certified-weight records for smallmouth bass since 1982.

In early October, they made the trip to Grasmere Reservoir, south of Bruneau in Idaho’s high desert, in search of the unique trout, only stocked in a few Idaho lakes.

Double play

Jon Urban and his daughter Hayleigh might be considered frequent fliers in Idaho’s state record fish program. The pair made the record books once again in 2022, with a duo of Lahontan cutthroat trout.

Hayleigh landed a 21-inch Lahontan cutthroat, setting a certified weight record at 3.14 pounds, while her dad, Jon, landed a new catch-and-release record with a 20-incher.

The four subspecies of Idaho’s cutthroat trout were broken out as separate record species back in 2016. By the way, the certified weight records for Yellowstone and Westslope cutthroat trout are still open. Most places are catch-and-release for these species (but not all), so check the regulations first before harvesting one.

Bring your non-game face

One could say 2022 was a good year for non-game species action too. While they might not make great table fare, several are native species and still fun to catch. Dayton Schild took home the trophy for the largest non-game species with a catch-and-release record common carp of 38 inches from American Falls Reservoir.

Kaden Hammer of Idaho Falls made a very strong showing with a pair of catch-and-release records for both Northern pikeminnow (27 inches) and Utah chub.

Honorable mention goes to Raiden Schneider for setting Idaho’s smallest certified-weight record with a “large” 0.08-pound redside shiner – not bad for one of Idaho’s native minnows.

Break Out The Neoprene: Winter Stream Fishing Is A Perfect Opportunity To Stay Outdoors And Catch Fish

(continued from page 9)

Where to start

Now that you’re well-rested and know what to try on fish, here’s where to find them. See Fish and Game’s Fishing Planner (https://idfg.idaho.gov/ifwis/fishingplanner/) to learn more about each location.

Boise River: Don’t overlook this river during late season because low winter flows actually make it more accessible and wader-friendly than during summer. It has healthy populations of rainbow trout, whitefish and brown trout. But don’t expect gullible fish; these fish have seen almost every trick in the book from anglers.

South Fork of the Boise River: This popular stretch below Anderson Ranch Dam doesn’t get any less popular during winter. Water coming out of the reservoir provides stable conditions and thousands of trout per mile make it a destination for late season anglers. Trout and whitefish tend to be above-average in size.

Payette River (Banks to Horseshoe Bend): This section of the Payette River supports a tremendously diverse fishery, including mountain whitefish. Whitefish will readily take a well-presented bait, fly or lure, they’re scrappy when hooked, and they’re tasty, yet admittedly, a little bony. Anglers have many access points along this stretch of river.

Big Wood River: This river has long been popular during winter for catch-and-release trout fishing. It rarely freezes, and if you fish it on the right day, you can catch trout on dry flies. Bring your midge and baetis patterns.

Malad River: This spring-fed stream is a fun winter fishing spot because it’s easily accessible from the Hagerman area and has lots of trout. Bring your light tackle because they tend to run small, but they’re plentiful and fiesty.

Lower Lochsa and Selway rivers: All provide good opportunities to catch whitefish during winter, and also have catch-and-release trout fishing.

St. Joe River: This river provides winter fishing opportunities for cutthroat trout and whitefish.

North Fork of the Coeur d’Alene River: Lower section also has fishing for whitefish and cutthroat trout and is accessible during winter.

Snake River below American Falls: This section of the Snake has produced some excellent trophy trout fishing in recent years. The relatively mild climate and dam release keeps this fishing accessible and productive during winter...

South Fork of the Snake River: This has year-round trout fishing and there’s no limit on rainbow trout. There’s also lots of opportunity to catch whitefish during winter.

Curried Elk Meatballs In Butter Sauce

a 12 Gauge Girl

www.huntingandcooking.com

courtesy a 12 gauge girl www.huntingandcooking.com

curried elk meatballs swim in a bath of butter sauce. Filled with hearty spices such as turmeric, coriander, and garam masala, spicy ginger, and a little kick from anaheim peppers.

Spicy

INGREDIENTS:

Curry Meatball Ingredients

Pound ground elk (deer, pronghorn, moose, bear, etc)

2 tablespoons Greek yogurt

1 Teaspoon powdered garlic

1 Teaspoon powdered onion

1 Tablespoon grated fresh ginger

1 Teaspoon turmeric

1 Teaspoon garam masala

1 Teaspoon coriander

1 Teaspoon cumin

Salt and pepper to taste

Butter Sauce Ingredients

Stick butter (1/4 pound)

1 Medium onion, diced

2 Tablespoons grated ginger

1 Cinnamon stick

2 Tomatoes, diced

2 Anaheim peppers, diced

1 Teaspoon cumin

1 Teaspoon turmeric

1 Teaspoon garam masala

1 Teaspoon coriander

1 Tablespoon tomato paste

1 Cup vegetable stock

1 Cup coconut cream

INSTRUCTIONS:

For Curried Meatballs

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

In a medium sized bowl, add pound of ground meat. Ground tablespoon of fresh ginger over the meat.

To bowl add rest of ingredients: yogurt, garlic, onion, turmeric, garam masala, coriander, cumin, and salt and pepper to taste.

Use your hands and get in there! Mix it all up.

Roll meat into tablespoon size balls. Place on baking sheet (I like to line mine with aluminum foil for easy cleanup).

Bake in oven for 15 minutes.

For Butter Sauce

Over medium heat in a large skillet, melt stick of butter.

Once the butter barely starts to brown, add the onions.

Allow to cook until translucent, about five minutes.

Add grated ginger, cinnamon stick, and cumin to the pan. Stir and let cook for two minutes.

Add diced tomatoes and anaheim, cook for two to three minutes.

Add teaspoon of cumin, garam masala, turmeric, coriander, tomato paste and cup of vegetable stock. Bring to a simmer, add the curried meatballs, cover with a lid and let simmer for ten minutes.

Remove the lid and stir in coconut cream. Allow to warm up for a minute.

To plate, place curried meatballs in a shallow bowl and generously cover in butter sauce, making sure you get a good serving of anaheims and tomatoes! Can be served with a side of rice or naan.

Photo courtesy IDFG

Photo

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Seize the snow day.

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Subaru, Forester, EyeSight, STARLINK and Apple CarPlay are registered trademarks. Android is a trademark of Google Inc. 1EyeSight is a driver-assist system that may not operate optimally under all driving conditions. The driver is always responsible for safe and attentive driving. System effectiveness depends on many factors, such as vehicle maintenance, weather, and road conditions. See Owner’s Manual for complete details on system operation and limitations. Requires automatic transmission. 2All SiriusXM services require a subscription, sold separately by SiriusXM after the trial period. Your SiriusXM service will automatically stop at the end of your trial unless you decide to subscribe. If you decide to continue service, the subscription plan chosen will automatically renew and be charged according to your chosen payment method at the then-current rates. Fees and taxes apply. See the SiriusXM Customer Agreement & Privacy Policy at www.siriusxm.com for full terms and how to cancel, which includes online methods or calling 1-866-635-2349. Available in the 48 contiguous United States, D.C., and Puerto Rico (with coverage limits and capable receiver). Visit http://www.siriusxm.com/FAQS for most current service area information. Availability of some services and features is subject to device capabilities and location restrictions. All fees, content and features are subject to change. SiriusXM, Pandora and all related logos are trademarks of Sirius XM Radio Inc. and its respective subsidiaries. 2023 Subaru Forester shown with accessory equipment. Take a video tour here: https://www.subaru.com/vehicles/forester/gallery.html